PINATAR A GREAT ADVERT FOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Pinatar Arena was the setting for this year's ladies international football tournament, involving Iceland (16th placing in the world), Scotland (25th), Wales (32nd) and Philippines (53rd).

Based in San Pedro on the Mar Menor, in the province of Murcia, Pinatar Arena has hosted many prestigious footballing events over recent years, with teams from all over the world enjoying its superb facilities. handed over for the Dinas Powys FC under 11 girls team.

For the final day of this tournament, the title was up for grabs, as 3 teams were still in with a shout. This home nations afternoon match, played in glorious sunshine, was followed by Iceland v Philippines later that evening.

A vociferous crowd were assembled along one side of the pitch, in which the Welsh supporters outnumbered their Scottish counterparts by around 3 to 1.

Scotland took an early lead on 8 mins, following Erin Cuthbert's inch perfect cross, which resulted in Sophie Howard's diving header finding the back of the net. The goal was the first Wales had conceded, having previously beaten Philippines 1-0, then drawn 0-0 with Iceland.

How Scotland didn't add to their tally is anyone's guess, for they completely dominated large periods of the first half. Chelsea's Cuthbert was pulling the strings for them, plus they also had Real Madrid star Caroline Weir controlling midfield. But they were punished for numerous missed chances, when Wales levelled against the run of play.

Olivia Clark's clearance was controlled on halfway by Hannah Cain, who was making her Wales debut. The Leicester midfielder found Jess Fishlock, who in turn played a glorious assist to Ceri Holland.

Liverpool's midfielder Holland then flashed a powerful low drive past Scotland's keeper Lee Gibson, to restore parity on 42 mins.

Thirty-six-year-old Fishlock was making a record breaking 139th appearance for Wales, but was involved in a heavy collision with Scotland's striker Fiona Brown, who required extensive treatment, before being wheeled off on a stretcher on the stroke of half time.

Suduk Suduk O Solution O Solution

Wales introduced Rachel Rowe for the 2nd half, impressing all when she produced a

Racing ease relegation worries

RACING San Miguel CF eased relegation worries in the Valencia 1st Regional Group 8 on Saturday with a 2-0 away win against CF Rafal at the Joaquín Pastor de Rafal, with goals from Peke and Lucas.

Bottom club Racing opened the scoring in the first minute through captain Peke, with an aggressive shot into the back of the net. Racing continued to press, with Lucas netting to lead 2-0 at half-time.

QUIZ FROM PAGE 14:

1.Harlow, one extra point for 'Jean' "Her hair is Harlow gold...." 2.Money (That's what I want),

3.c.Cirrus , 4.Vulcans, 5.a.Enrico Caruso, 6. Sleeping Beauty, 7.1968.Dec 24th 1968 during the Apollo 8 mission.8.Los Angeles, 9. Greenland, 10.Antarctic (13,802,000 sq.km) North America (2,049,000 sq.km.) and Europe (115,000 sq.km.) 11.Pumpernickel, 12.Andy Warhol, 13.Ambrosia, 14.Scaramouche ("Scaramouche,Scaramouche will you do the fandango" from Bohemian Rhapsody), 15.a.

The Magnificent Seven, b.The Thomas Crown Affair, c.The Great Escape, d.The Blob.e.The Cincinnati Kid, 16.Mars Attacks, 17.a.

Everybody Loves Somebody, 18.Holding your breath.19.Count Dracula, 20.Bad Finger cross for Wales captain Sophie Ingle to curl an effort just wide.

In the second half, Racing competed and defended well displaying a good level of combinative play in attack to bag an important three pts as they continue to fight against the drop. Racing move off the bottom on 11 pts, ahead of Sporting Dolores CF A who play on Sunday.

CF Pinoso CF remain top on 48 points (P20) despite a shock 2-1 defeat at seventh placed CF Atletico Algorfa. UE Crevillente FB A sit in second place on 46 points, with SC Torrevieja third (46) who play on Sunday. CD Montesinos defeated CF Cox away 2-1 to maintain their place in the top half of the table.

SC Torrevieja CF B took a point against CD Horadada Thair away in a 1-1 draw in the Valencia 2nd Regional Group 16, with Torry's goal by Jerry. Horadada took the lead after 5 minutes, with Torry equalising to level at 1-1 in a game that saw the visitors dominate midfield. Torry (P20) sit in 13th on 17 points.

Guardamar Soccer CD A (P19) are top of the table on 50 pts, ahead of CF Popular Orihuela on 44 pts (P20) who defeated Atletico Benejuzar CF away 2-0.

1st Regional G8 results: CD Cox 1-2 CD Montesinos; CF Atletico Algorfa 2-1 Pinoso CF A; UD La Coca-Aspense A 0-0 CF de Sporting San Fulgencio; CF Rafal 0-2 Racing San Miguel CF; Elche Dream CF A 1-3 UE Crevillente FB A; CFE IlLicitana Raval 0-1 Aspe UD A.

Up the other end, Wales keeper Olivia Clark pushed a goal bound effort by Weir around the post.

A stunning run by Rowe, saw the Reading player skip past 3 Scotland defenders , before laying the ball off to Cain, but her effort was deflected for a corner. Fishlock spurned glorious chances to score, as it looked odds on that Wales would produce a late winner. They had strong claims for a penalty when substitue Morgan Wynne went down in the box, but ref Lucie Cova was unimpressed. Deep into stoppage time, it was Scotland's turn to feel aggrieved, when Weir was upended by Rhiannon Roberts, but once again, the ref waved play on.

After the match, I was given a signed team sheet by all the Welsh squad, dedicated to Dinas Powys FC under 11 girls team. My granddaughter, Sophie Wellington, plays in midfield for Dinas Powys girls, having chipped in with a fair number of goals this season.

Sophie's been following Wales progress in this tournament, which manager Gemma Grainger has described as very pleasing, adding that her side has gone from strength to strength.

I'm sure that the framed signed team sheet, will have a place of honour inside Dinas Powys FC clubhouse (if it can be prised away from Sophie!).

Iceland went on to beat Philippines 5-0, to lift the impressive Pinatar cup.

San Miguel celebrations after win at Rafal.

2nd Regional G16 results: CD Horadada Thair A 1-1 Sporting Costablanca Torrevieja CF B; CF Formentera 3-1 Sporting Saladar; Atletico Benejuzar A 0-2 CF Popular Orihuela; Santa Pola C.F. B 22 Bigastro CF; CF United Elche A 1-2 CD Benijofar.

*Sunday's results r-up will appear online at www.theleader.info.

Costa Blanca Independent Pool League

El Raso Mixtures defeated Mixed Spice 7-3 away in division two of the Costa Blanca Independent Pool League to go third in the table.

Andy Flynn, Andy Trefry, Alan Perkins, Ole-J Midttul, Alan Perkins, and Chris Lusty returned wins for El Raso. League leaders The Taverners defeated The Jokers 6-4.

The Excellence continued their success with a 9-1 against Hals Heroes in division one to top the table on 24 points, with a game in hand.

The Pine Nuts defeated The Rancheros 6-4; second place The Young Boys chalked up a 6-5 away win at The Shakers, with John Smyth, Pete Cleaver, Mick Margerum, and Stan West returning victories.